HIT Ent. Greenlights New Series Of Fireman Sam

HIT Entertainment, one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners, has today announced that a brand new CG-animated series of ‘Fireman Sam’ has entered pre-production.

Press Release from HIT Entertainment

22nd FEBRUARY 2011, LONDON: HIT Entertainment, one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners, has today announced that a brand new CG-animated series of ‘Fireman Sam’ has entered pre-production. 26 x 10’ episodes will be produced for an eighth series of the popular pre-school show and are due to be delivered in Spring 2012.

This news follows a hugely successful year for ‘Fireman Sam’ whose transition to CG-animation enjoyed strong ratings on Mini CITV and Cartoonito where it remains the channel’s number one show. Toy company Character Options also launched a brand new range for ‘Fireman Sam,’ which became one of the most successful pre-school toy ranges of 2010, with the Deluxe Fire Station Playset chosen as a 2010 Dream Toy as well as ‘Pre-school Toy of the Year’.

Marion Edwards, Vice President of Current Programming at HIT Entertainment said, “Fireman Sam’s popularity has risen to new heights over the past 12 months and by green-lighting an eighth series HIT Entertainment demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the future remains bright for TV’s favourite fireman. Viewers can look forward to lots more excitement and adventure in Pontypandy and some new faces amongst the old favourites!”

The new series is being produced by China based digital animation company Xing Xing who also collaborated on the highly successful series six and seven of ‘Fireman Sam’.

About HIT EntertainmentHIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, Pingu, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina and Rainbow Magic. HIT represents Chapman Entertainment’s Fifi and the Flowertots and Roary the Racing Car in North America, as well as Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as representative for The Wiggles in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US-based preschool channel, PBS KIDS SproutSM. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.

About Fireman SamFireman Sam, the Ultimate Hero Next Door, has been racing to the rescue of his friends and colleagues in all sorts of perilous situations since he first made his UK TV debut in 1986. Based in the Welsh village of Pontypandy, Fireman Sam is a pillar of the community and the hero of every rescue. Whether stuck on a high cliff-face or caught in an underground cave, the children of Pontypandy know help is always close at hand -- thanks to the brave and resourceful Fireman Sam. Fireman Sam airs in almost 100 territories worldwide.